- motorcycle model, Honda brand
The Honda XL125 Varadero motorcycle was first released in 2001.
The Honda XL125V Varadero was based on a 2-cylinder V-twin liquid-cooled engine with a volume of 125 cc and producing 15 hp. power and 10.4 Nm of torque. This engine was new and was developed specifically for the Honda VT125C Shadow cruiser. Maximum engine performance is achieved at 8500-11000 rpm.
— Honda XL125V Varadero (2001-2006) — first generation. The model is distinguished by a carburetor power system, a 17.5 liter fuel tank, and a power of 15 hp.
— Honda XL125V Varadero (2007-2013) — second generation. The model is equipped with an injection engine, has a different plastic design, a dashboard in the style of the Varadero 1000, a 17-liter fuel tank and a maximum power of 14.2 hp.
2001 - official start of production and sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero. First generation.
2003 - starting this year, the model is equipped with silver-colored wheels (instead of black).
2007 - The Honda XL125V Varadero model undergoes major changes. Due to the release of updated Euro 3 emissions standards, the model receives an injector and a catalyst, which slightly reduces the maximum power to 14.2 hp. The model also receives a new plastic fairing, headlights, mirrors and instrument panel (as on the Varadero 1000). The air intake was rotated 90°, and the fuel tank capacity was reduced to 17 liters.
2013 is the last year of sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero.
Bike features
Here are the main features of the bike:
- cable clutch;
- six-speed gearbox;
- large weight over 220 kg.
This is one of the best touring enduros not only in terms of its characteristics, but also in terms of design. The model will delight motorcycle aesthetes with well-chosen colors, thoughtful frame curves, and stylish alloy wheels.
Engine
Honda XL 1000 V Varadero is equipped with a four-stroke two-cylinder engine. It is V-shaped, which makes the motorcycle similar to the Transalp series. The working volume of the unit is 996 cm³, and its compression ratio is 9.8:1. Engine cooling is liquid. The fuel supply system was replaced from carburetor to injection.
Peak performance is as follows: at 6000 rpm, torque is 98 Nm, and power at 8000 rpm is 94 hp. This makes the XL 1000 V one level more powerful than all representatives of the Transalp series. The peak speed corresponds to the characteristics of the motor and reaches 200 km/h. The bike accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. These are very impressive figures for a touring enduro.
Review of the Honda XL 125 V Varadero motorcycle (Honda Varadero 125)
The device is the most advanced of the “consumer goods” 125-approx. Liquid cooling, monoshock and rear disc brake. The same ones are available on the CBR15R. Next came the differences. Double frame. V-twin (moved from the Shadow 125 chopper). Wide seat. Landing... You sit high, you can see far away. On the Phaser FZ6 the landing is worse for me.
Driving around the city is completely satisfactory. It's uncomfortable on the highway. The side wind doesn’t blow you away much - after all, the empty weight is 152 kg, but overtaking is difficult, and rather stressful for those who overtake you. My maximum speed without wind was 118 km/h in 5th gear. The revolutions do not reach the red zone - there is not enough power. At 4th speed 110. Maximum revolutions (12000). Faster than 90 - you already have to hide behind the windbreak. And he's short.
In addition to the comfortable (depending on who) fit, it is beautiful.
When I fell, oddly enough, my plastic suffered 2 times out of 6. Scratches. Now I installed the arches and this trouble is in the past. I broke the brake handle once, but the plastic was not damaged at all. The gearshift paws and brakes have never been damaged.
The light is not very familiar. 2 lamps for low beam, two for far. 35 watts each. I changed them to halogen ones. It became a little lighter, but not radically. And the base there is ba20d. I translate it into Russian - you won’t find it. I bought it in some English store, having read about it on the Varaderkin forum (English-language, of course).
The sound of operation ranges from quiet rattling to a low buzz (after all, 12000). The vibrations seemed noticeable at first. I went to a motorcycle school and here and there. I sat down on mine. What vibrations? In short, mine doesn’t have them. That is, there is. But very affectionate. You just feel that the engine is running and not stalled.
The first one is idling. The speed is like that of a pedestrian. You can literally sneak around in traffic jams. Accordingly, more dramatic maneuvers are possible.
I drove and drove along a forest dirt road, saw a clearing, turned and drove in, and on the way crossed a ditch. Didn't even stand up on the steps. This is me on the topic of his endurability. Even though it’s a SUV, it’s still a jeep. I drove through the forest without roads, on sand. On his way. I didn't go into the swamps.
Reliability is considered very high (according to reviews from owners on forums). I confirm. Operation is cheap: he only thinks about gasoline. How much gasoline evaporated from the tank... Well, okay, I exaggerated a little. I travel about 220 km on 10 liters. Mixed cycle. If on the highway and 90 in 5th, I think it will be less than 3 liters. You need a little more than a liter of oil (when replacing it, it doesn’t consume oil at all). You also need a little coolant.
O-ring chain. I know people who believe that there is no point in cleaning and lubricating it. I'm lubricating...
It takes a long time to warm up. Still, it also has developed cooling fins.
By price. She's mad. What 4000 euros? This is what non-officials sell second-hand devices for in Germany. Officials have the same price everywhere - 5,000 euros. Hit yourself against the wall. There is no emergency alarm button or high beam flasher.
For the future. I am completely satisfied with it for the utilitarian purpose of getting to work and back. Cheap, convenient, fast. I'm not going to give it up. He stays with me until the end. If it really comes down to it, I'll give up the Phaser. I love him wildly. I love and cherish. I buy him all sorts of gifts. For example, the rear wing, like on the Phaser. It looks beautiful and protects the shock absorber. I'm even considering selling my add and buying a new one. I bought mine used, almost half the price, but with a difficult fate. It’s from England, the speedometer has km/h but in small symbols, but the odometer (by the way, there are 2 trip meters, like on reputable motorbikes) is only in miles. Inconvenient. It was stolen there, the locks were picked (but not broken)... There was no set of tools, but there are a couple of tricky ones. But I had my 1000 km maintenance done at a local dealer. We also sometimes sell the De-Luxe version at the regular price. It has stock crankcase protection and silver trim on the tidy rings.
Once again about “it doesn’t go.” This is 125. With a power limitation of “up to 11 kW” according to the standards of many countries. And the fact that he won’t get up to a hundred in 6 seconds doesn’t matter to me. If I want to speed up, I’ll switch to the Phaser. And the ride comfort for me is still the highest on the little Vara.
Additive. It steers very easily and smoothly. The turning radius is impressive. But the wheelbase is 1450 mm. More than Phaser. The phaser, by the way, deploys with a much larger radius. Speeds change very smoothly. When an experienced friend drove my Varya before purchasing, he said, “The box is super, well, it’s a Honda. That's how it should be." The clutch is depressed with very little effort. You never get tired of pressing it in traffic jams.
The season is over. I bought it new. Of course there were no breakdowns, the rear brake disc squealed a little until the pads got used to it. The device is a fairy tale, but it depends on what it’s for. It won’t take you 125 to get by, but getting to work and back is what you need. Consumption is 3 liters per 100, very comfortable, space for a top case, high ground clearance (easy to cross a curb), maximum speed 110-115 km/h, on good asphalt up to 120. In terms of throttle response in the city, there is no deficiency, but on the highway, yes, it’s not enough. My daily mileage is 80-100 km, of which 60-70 are on the highway at 110 km/h, but city maneuverability more than compensates for the space speeds on the highway. 2.5 hours by car and 40 minutes on Varaderk, I think there is a difference.
Dimensions and weight
The XL 1000 V is a long machine, reaching as much as 2292 mm. And its height is large - as much as 1465 mm. The width of the bike is 924 mm. The wheelbase dimensions are 1560 mm, and the seat height is 838 mm. Curb weight is 269 kg, and with ABS - all 277 kg. The gas tank capacity is impressive - as much as 25 liters, while fuel consumption is from 5.5 to 6.4 liters per hundred kilometers.
Model history
2001 - official start of production and sales of the Honda XL125V Varadero. First generation. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X01E1EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V1.
2002 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X02E2EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V2.
2003 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X03E3EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V3.
2004 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X04E4EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V4.
2005 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X05E5EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V5.
2006 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X06E6EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V6.
2007 - The Honda XL125V Varadero model undergoes major changes. Second generation. Due to the release of updated Euro 3 emissions standards, the model receives an injector and a catalyst, which slightly reduces the maximum power to 14.4 hp. The model also receives a new plastic fairing, headlights, mirrors and instrument panel (as on the Varadero 1000). The air intake was rotated 90°, and the fuel tank capacity was reduced to 17 liters. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X07E7EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V7.
2008 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32X08E8EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V8.
2009 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*9E9EXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125V9.
2010 - no significant changes. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*AEAEXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125VA.
2011 is the last year of production. Model: Honda Varadero 125 (Europe). Frame number: VTMJC32A*BEBEXXXXXX. Factory designation: XL125VB.
Chassis and brakes
The frame of a motorcycle is of the spatial type. It is made of steel. The design will appeal to those who love flashy, bright motorcycles with an artsy appearance. The wheels are alloy and even look slightly sporty, which greatly distinguishes the model from the Transalp series. The steering wheel is medium-sized, typical for the class, and, just like the Transalp models, there is protection for the driver’s hands.
The rear suspension is a pendulum version with a monoshock absorber. The travel of this suspension is 145 mm. At the front it is a 43 mm telescopic fork with a travel of 155 mm. The rear combination brakes feature a single disc with a diameter of 256 mm, as well as a three-piston caliper. At the front, the combined brakes are two discs, each 296 mm. There are three-piston calipers.
Recommendations
- Honda Press Information Varadero 125 2001 Archived September 20, 2009 Wayback Machine
- "Soon | Motorcycles | Honda (UK)". WW1.honda.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- "Honda XL125 Varadero (2001-present) - Honda Motorcycle Reviews." Motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- "Sales data tells you what's going on in motorsports." Motorcyclenews.com. 2002-01-14. Retrieved 2012-12-24.
- https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/125cc/ Summer 2013
Production
It was no coincidence that the bike was produced for over ten years. The machine is one of the most powerful touring enduros of our time. Of course, as the industry continues to grow in power, the XL 1000 V is also one of the most powerful class bikes in history.
